Awramba Times office attacked

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — Yesterday, August 17, 2010, around 8 pm, unidentified men tried to enter into Awramba Times’ office. Six hours earlier, the security guard was beaten up and suffered serious injuries.

The unidentified attackers had also threatened the deputy editor-in-chief of Awramba Times, Gizaw Legesse, who intervened to stop the beating.

Awramba Times Managing Editor Dawit Kebede reported the incident to the police, but no investigation has been conducted. The police officer who arrived at the Awramba Times office was not even interested to speak with the victim. Eyewitnesses were also not questioned.

Awramba Times is the only remaining independent newspaper in Ethiopia that dares to report about politics. It’s editors and reporters work under constant threat and harassment.